Local residents fight back after graffiti!

National World - LocalTV

Residents of Keynsham woke up this week to a town looking a little different—mini-roundabouts painted with the St George’s Cross, and graffiti that’s sparked concern far beyond road markings.

Transcript

00:01Residents of Canesham woke up to a town looking a little different.

00:06Many roundabouts painted with the St George's Cross and graffiti that sparked concern far beyond road markings.

00:15Down Goosebury Lane, the words This Is England were spray-painted in white across the path.

00:22At first glance, it may seem patriotic, but some locals are warning it's not that simple.

00:27One person reporting to the council said that the phrase is closely linked to the 2006 film This Is England,

00:35which portrays the rise of fair-right nationalism and neo-Nazi skinhead culture in 1980s Britain.

00:41They described the message as more nationalist than patriotic and called for it to be swiftly removed.

00:48Councillor Alan Hale didn't mince his words, calling the paint on the roads defacing and a danger to road safety.

00:56Fellow councillor David Biddleston went further and said that the St George's flag should represent unity,

01:03but when it's used to provoke hate, it becomes a symbol of division.

01:08He said that he's flown the flag proudly at football and cricket stadiums,

01:12but said that he'll find it hard if it's seen as a symbol of hating others.

01:17The council has confirmed that clearing the paint will cost taxpayers money and police are investigating.

01:25Council leader Kevin Guy condemned the axe,

01:29drawing a line between what he called robust patriotism and anti-immigration nationalism.

01:36As communities across the county debate what symbols like the St George's Cross do mean to them today,

01:43say,

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